Rock's Keyboard Players Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brian Auger

Born in India, Auger has played or toured with artists such as Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon and many more. He has been nominated for a Grammy. He played keys on the Yardbirds' breakout hit "For Your Love".

In 1965 Auger formed The Steampacket, along with Long John Baldry, Julie Driscoll, Vic Briggs and Rod Stewart. In 1970 he formed Brian Auger's Oblivion Express. The revived Oblivion Express played at the 2006 Starwood Festival. The band features Brian's son Karma Auger on drums, his daughter Savannah Auger on vocals and Derek Frank on bass. Tony Carey played Hammond organ for Rainbow from 1975 to 1977. Ed Cox is the organist from The Hurricanes who has played with Billy Preston. "Wild Bill" Davis is the stage name of American organist William Davis who led a number of organ trios.

Answer: Jon Lord

Jon Lord began his British music career in 1960 with the jazz-oriented Bill Ashton Combo. Lord co-founded Deep Purple in 1968. He and drummer Ian Paice were the only constant band members during the band's existence from 1968 to 1976. Lord played his Hammond-Leslie through Marshall amplification, creating a growling sound that gave a rhythmic counterpoint to Blackmore's guitar playing. Deep Purple reformed in 1984 until Lord's retirement in 2002. Lord currently focuses on classical compositions. Stuart "Pinkie" Bates is the former keyboardist of rock group The Divine Comedy. Jerry Burke was the organist for Lawrence Welk from 1934 to 1965. Vincent Crane is the organist of Atomic Rooster.

Answer: Alan Price

Alan Price was a founding member of the Tyneside, England, group The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo which was eventually renamed The Animals. His arrangement and organ playing on "House of the Rising Sun" contributed to the song's huge success. In 1965 he appeared in the film documenting Bob Dylan's England tour, "Don't Look Back".

His 1967 solo LP titled "A Price on His Head" featured several Randy Newman compositions before Randy became a well known songwriter. He has written music for stage plays and films including "The Whales of August" and "O Lucky Man". Bryon "Chas" Chandler played bass, Hilton Valentine was the guitar player and John Steel held down the drumming chores.

Answer: Gregg Rolie

Rolie joined Carlos Santana to form the Santana Blues Band in 1966, which was later shortened to Santana. He enjoyed considerable success with Santana including their appearance at Woodstock. After Woodstock he left the band to work at his father's restaurant. Rolie was asked to join a new band in 1973 with ex-Santana guitarist Neal Schon which became Journey.

After leaving Journey in 1980 Gregg recorded solo albums including "Gregg Rolie" in 1985 and "Gringo", released in 1987. Rolie formed The Storm in 1991 with Steve Smith, Ross Valory, Josh Ramos and Kevin Chalfant.

In the late 1990s Rolie and Neal Schon formed Abraxas Pool. Rolie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Santana. John Evan was Jethro Tull's organist. Dave "Baby" Cortez" had a hit with "The Happy Organ", the first rock song to feature the organ. Jonathan Cain (Jonathan Friga) replaced Rolie in Journey.

Answer: Mike Smith

The Dave Clark Five featuring Mike Smith on vocals and keyboards was the first British Invasion group after the Beatles to have chart success in America. "Glad All Over" reached number six in April, 1964. Mike recorded a solo album titled "Mike Smith Medley" and toured America in 2003 with "Mike Smith's Rock Engine".

They performed several DC5 numbers on the tour. The DC5 is a member of the 2008 class of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Robert Smith played keys for The Cure. Jimmy Smith was a prolific recording artist, recording with the Blue Note label beginning in 1956. Johnny "Hammond" Smith recorded a series of albums with CTI Records.

His song "Shifting Gears" was featured on the "Breakbeat" compilation.

Answer: Rod Argent

Rod Argent was the keyboard player for The Zombies and went on to have success with his own group Argent. Argent had a hit album in 1972 with "All Together Now". The LP contained the hit single "Hold Your Head Up". They also recorded the original version of the rock anthem "God Gave Rock 'n Roll to You", written by lead singer Russ Ballard and later covered by KISS. Argent's first album included another Ballard composition titled "Liar" which later became a hit for the Three Dog Knight.

In 1999 Rod Argent recorded the piano album "Rod Argent Classically Speaking" featuring works of the great masters and original compositions.

In 2006 he toured with Ringo Starr's All Star Band. Tony Banks was the keyboardist and a founding member of Genesis. Duncan MacKay is from 10cc and Danny Federici plays keys for the E Street Band.

Answer: The Band

In 1966 Canadian born Garth and the members of The Band toured backing Bob Dylan. In 1968 The Band recorded its debut album, "Music from Big Pink", which includes Hudson's organ showcase, "Chest Fever". After years of touring The Band made its final bow with a concert on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at Winterland in San Francisco.

The all-star tribute concert is documented in the Martin Scorsese directed film "The Last Waltz". Hudson released his first solo album September 11, 2001, entitled "The Sea To The North". Hudson was inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of The Band. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan used a Hammond organ during most of his tenure with The Grateful Dead until his death in 1973. Scott May was the organist for The Ides Of March and Rick Wakeman played keys for Yes at one time.

Answer: Steve Winwood

Stephen "Steve" Winwood was also a member of the bands Traffic, Go and Blind Faith. He was only 15 when he became a became a member of the Spencer Davis Group with his older brother "Muff". Steve co-wrote and recorded "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm A Man" before leaving to form Traffic.

In the eighties he recorded the albums "Arc Of A Diver" and "Talking Back to the Night". In 2003, Winwood released the studio album, "About Time", on his own record label, Wincraft Music. As a member of the band Traffic Steve was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Steve Walsh is from the band Kansas. Billy Preston played keyboards on "Get Back" with the Beatles and had a successful solo career. Kieth Emerson was a member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer and the Nice.

Answer: Manfred Mann

Manfred Mann was born in South Africa and emigrated to England, starting The Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers in 1962. They worked constantly throughout 1962 and 1963 and attracted attention for their unique sound due mostly to Mann's keyboard proficiency and Jones' soulful vocals.

In 1963 they changed their name at the suggestion of their label. Their first releases failed to attract attention. They did a cover of the Exciters' "Do Wah Diddy" which garnered them chart success. After personnel changes the band emerged as The Manfred Mann Earth Band in 1971 and continued to have hits such as "Blinded by the Light".

The other members of the original Manfred Mann were Mike Vickers on lead guitar, Dave Richmond on bass, and Paul Jones fronting as lead vocalist and harmonica player.

Answer: Felix Cavaliere

After playing with the Young Rascals, later known as The Rascals, Felix produced albums by a variety of artists including Laura Nyro's "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" and Jimmie Spheeris' 1973 album "The Original Tap Dancing Kid". Cavaliere had a solo hit in 1980 titled "Only A Lonely Heart Sees". Felix and former Rascals band mate Dino Danelli have also played in Steven Van Zandt's band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. Felix toured with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in 1995. Felix inducted the band Vanilla Fudge into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Dennis DeYoung is the keyboardist for Styx. Jimmy Greenspoon played keys for Three Dog Night and Ray Manzarek was the keyboard player for The Doors.